The Association Between Women’s Empowerment and Physical Intimate Partner Violence in Afghanistan

This study delves into the intricate association between women’s empowerment and physical intimate partner violence (PIPV) in Afghanistan. In this country, nearly half of all women have experienced PIPV at some point in their lifetime. Utilizing data from the Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey 2015, a nationally representative survey of women and men aged 15 to 49 years, this study employs multiple logistic regression analysis to elucidate the association between women’s empowerment and PIPV prevalence. The findings reveal a compelling association between women’s empowerment and lower PIPV risk. Women with higher levels of education and income, considered empowered individuals, exhibit a lower likelihood of experiencing PIPV. In addition, rural women face a heightened risk of PIPV compared to their urban counterparts. In contrast, women residing in the poorest quintile are twice as likely to endure PIPV compared to those in the wealthiest quintile. Notably, the husband’s educational attainment also bears a significant inverse relationship with IPV occurrence. These findings underscore the transformative potential of education and economic empowerment in safeguarding Afghan women from PIPV. The implications of this study extend to policymakers, particularly the international community and the United Nations, who are actively engaged in PIPV reduction efforts in Afghanistan. Investing in the educational empowerment of Afghan women holds immense promise in alleviating the scourge of PIPV.